CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (no contrast)

Facility: Mercy Hospital Aurora

Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70551
Insurance Median: $2,344
Cash Discount Price: $1,801
vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.62x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (no contrast) at Mercy Hospital Aurora is $2,344. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,801. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $243.77, this hospital’s rate is 9.62x the Medicare baseline. Located in 500 Porter Avenue, Aurora, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$1,801

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$2,344

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$243.77

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $243.77 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $1,801 (739%)

Insurance Median: $2,344 (962%)

Cash: $1,801 (739% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $2,344 (962% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $243.77 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.

Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)

The negotiated rate at this facility is 962% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 862%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
Medicaid / KanCare	$131 - $1,405	54%
Medicare (plans)	$226 - $820	93%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$317 - $2,771	130%
UnitedHealthcare	$317 - $2,632	130%
Aetna	$788 - $2,466	323%
Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066]	$788	323%
Cigna	$788 - $2,355	323%
Cross Timbers Hospice [20098]	$788	323%
Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433]	$788	323%
Globalhealth Contracted [320145]	$788	323%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432]	$788	323%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432]	$788	323%
Humana	$788 - $2,355	323%
Indian Health Service Contracted [320198]	$788	323%
Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434]	$788	323%
Kindful Hospice [20434]	$788	323%
Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444]	$788	323%
Mercy Hospice Okc [20252]	$788	323%
Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259]	$788	323%
Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518]	$788	323%
Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450]	$788	323%
Qual Choice Contracted [320325]	$788	323%
Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106]	$806	331%
Tricare	$806	331%
Healthscope Contracted [320182]	$1,021	419%
Centivo Contracted [320505]	$1,108	455%
Administrative Payor Contracted [320005]	$1,247	512%
Ambetter / Centene	$1,405	576%
Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187]	$1,405	576%
Novasys Contracted [320285]	$1,405	576%
Healthlink Contracted [320179]	$1,801 - $2,494	739%
Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522]	$1,801	739%
Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174]	$2,217	909%
Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465]	$2,217	909%
Point C Contracted [320238]	$2,217 - $2,355	909%
Point C [20238]	$2,217	909%
Workers Comp [20426]	$2,217 - $2,355	909%
Medica Contracted [320239]	$2,344	962%
90 Degree Benefits Contracted [320436]	$2,355	966%
Aither Health Contracted [320449]	$2,355	966%
American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020]	$2,355	966%
Auxiant Contracted [320462]	$2,355	966%
Benefit Management Contracted [320052]	$2,355	966%
Ebms Contracted [320493]	$2,355	966%
Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502]	$2,355	966%
Evolutions Health Care Contracted [320124]	$2,355	966%
First Health Contracted [320128]	$2,355	966%
Imagine 360 Contracted [320494]	$2,355	966%
Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251]	$2,355	966%
Reflect Health Contracted [320492]	$2,355	966%
Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483]	$2,355	966%
United Medical Resources Contracted [320454]	$2,355 - $2,438	966%
Yuzu Health Contracted [320521]	$2,355	966%
Usa Managed Care Org Contracted [320429]	$2,438	1000%
Multiplan Contracted [320270]	$2,632	1080%
Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320]	$2,632	1080%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $1,801.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 70551.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Mercy Hospital Aurora is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 70551.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.